Memorial service organised for local residents as Alex Salmond pays tribute to tragic tot Mikaeel Kular

FIRST Minister Alex Salmond said that the 'hearts of everyone across Scotland and beyond have been touched by the events of recent days'.

Members of the public have been laying tributes in Edinburgh and Kirkcaldy after the body of Mikaeel Kular was found.

A LOCAL residents' association have organised a memorial service to pay tribute to tragic Edinburgh toddler Mikaeel Kular.

Robert Pearson, chairman of the Tenants and Residents in Muirhouse (TRIM) association, said all local residents are invited to the service which will take place at St Andrew's Church in Edinburgh at 7pm.

In a statement, Mr Pearson thanked searched volunteers and the local community for their help during the search.

He said: "I, like everyone else in North Edinburgh, will be saddened to learn that police have found the body of a child in the search for Mikaeel. Over the last few days this community, as well as people from all over the country, has come together to search for him.

"Whilst it can be easy for us to all to jump to conclusions about what has happened, we need to remain calm and allow the police to continue with their investigation."

He said: "Sometime it takes something like this to bring people together. I have seen older people, young people, families and teenagers all giving up their time to search the entire area over the past two days.

"On reflection, I and everyone at TRIM are so proud of the community we all live in. Obviously as time went on we were all aware that the chances of a positive were diminishing but that never stopped us. People continued to turn at all times of the day and night to help, and everyone who got involved should be so proud of themselves."

Tributes have begun appearing at the address in Kirkcaldy where the three-year-old's body was found, and also outside the Kular flat in Edinburgh.

Lisa Maxwell, 42, from nearby Skibo Place, laid flowers close to the bungalow at the centre of the police investigation.

The mother of two said: "I woke up today and my partner Stuart had a text saying the little boy had been found so I expected good news.

"But when I turned on the TV I realised it was not.

"When he was missing, and having young children myself, straight away I put myself in those shoes trying to imagine what it's like. I wanted to help, even though I'm not in the Edinburgh area."

The resident's boys aged 11 and four joined their mother near the cordoned-off road where she offered hot refreshments to police and others at the scene.

REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Volunteers turned out in their hundreds to try and help find Mikaeel.

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This is a tragic development in this harrowing story and the news that we have all been dreading. The hearts of everyone across Scotland and beyond have been touched by the events of recent days.

"We should at this difficult time remember the work of the officers of Police Scotland who have responded to this difficult task and investigation and shown such professionalism and dedication.

"Above all the efforts and solidarity of the local community in Edinburgh should be applauded. In the most tragic of circumstances they volunteered to make their very best efforts to help this young child."

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "I would like to echo the First Minister's words and praise the excellent work done by Police Scotland who have worked tirelessly to find Mikaeel during this difficult and harrowing time.

"And I would also like to commend the residents of Edinburgh for the outstanding way in which they have supported the work of Police Scotland over recent days. I know that the police have greatly valued the assistance that has been provided by many members of the public who have helped with the search.

"The police investigation into this tragic matter continues over the next few days and anyone with information which might be relevant to the investigation should contact Police Scotland."